Dry cleaning machine



Nov. 28, 1933. E. F. .JENKS DRY CLEANING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Shae FiledAug. 24

Nov. 28,1933. E. F. JENKS DRYCLEANING MACHINE Filed Aug. 24, 1932 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 28, 1 933 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics 13Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in inachines for cleaning anddrying clothing, or the like in which the cleaning or washing, theextraction of solvent, and the subsequent drying of the articles isaccomplished in a single unit and in a connected sequence'of operation.Primarily the invention relates to a machine particularly adapted to usea volatile liquid, such asgasoline or carbon tetrachloride, through theagency of which liquid what is known as dry cleaning is accomplished.The following description will therefore largely relate to the use ofsuch volatile liquid.

In dry cleaning through the agency of a volatile liquid, the clothes orother articles are immersed and agitated in the presence of a liquidwhich will act as a solvent to cut out grease and dirt, the machineordinarily employed having a perforated cylinder in which the clothesare locked, which cylinder is rotated at slow speed while partlyimmersed in the liquid.- These devices ordinarily are unbalanced as toboth rotating parts and loading and therefore are not adapted to berotated at high speed. After the cleaning step the solvent is drainedoff and the articles are removed to a balanced drum extractor which isrotated at high speed until the solvent remaining is thrown out orextracted, the solvent, removed being drained off.

The articles are then removed from the ex tractor and placed in a drierwhere the residual fumes are drawn or blown off, accomplishing thedrying. i

The primary object of the present invention is to make a machine inwhich the rotating parts are accurately balanced which lends itself tothe balancing of the load, and which is adapted not only for initialcleaning'or' washing steps, but

also for the high speed extracting step, and the final drying step.

A second object is to make a machine which may be conveniently loadedand in which particularly the load may be brought into convenient andreadily accessible position for removal.

A further object is to simplify the design and construction of such amachine, whereby efiiciency, long life, and low cost are had.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects are accomplished andthe manner of their accomplishment will readily be understood from thefollowing specification on reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional elevation taken 5 as on the line I--Iof Fig. 3 showing the machine empty, but closed with the partspositioned for operation.

Fig. 2 is a corresponding view on the line I of Fig. 3 opened up forplacing or removing the articles.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken on the center line ofthe casing and drum.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicatedby numerals, 10 is a casing having an opening 11 extendingsubstantiallythe full length thereof which is adapted to be-closed andsealed by a removable door 12.

Preferably the casing is a hollow cylinder carried by circular disk ends13, 14 which are suitably flanged, and the opening is rectangular andprovided with a peripheral flange 15 against which the door seats. Thedoor may be secured to the flange in any usual or desired manner as byclamp screws 16.

l7, 18 are frames on which the casing is supported as by integralbrackets 19, 20.

21 is a tank preferably disposed below the casing. 22 are drain pipeswhich lead from the easing into a longitudinally disposed pipe 23 andthence through a pipe 24 into the tank. 25 is a cut off valve.

The pipe 23 extends beyond the casing ends andhas extensions 26 and 27,projecting above the casing, the extension27 being provided with asuitable removable cap or closure 28, and the valve controlled extension26 leading to a suitable source'of solvent supply. 29 is an overflowpipe leading from one of the casing ends, as the end 14 at the desiredliquid level in the casing, which pipe discharges into the tank. 39 is avalve controlled drain from the tank. 31 is a pipe which is connected toa suitable exhaust fan.

Disposed within the casing 10 is the rotary unit, comprising a shaft 40which extends through stuihng boxes .41, 42 in the ends 13, 14 and isjournalled in suitable bearings 43, 44 preferably ball or roller,mounted on the frames 17, 18. The shaft 40 may optionally be driven fromeither end, as through pulleys 45, 46, the pulley 45 being of large sizeand intended for slow rotation and the pulley 46 of small size to'permithigh speed rotation.

Mounted on andsec'ured to the shaft within the casing are heads 47, 48positioned adjacent the casing ends 13, 14. Each head is provided with aplurality of sockets 50, 51 respectively positioned at equal distancesfrom the shaft 40 and equally spaced therearound, there being the samenumber of sockets,'preferably four, in each head, and the heads being sosecured on the shaft that the ll? sockets of one head longitudinallyalign with the corresponding sockets of the opposite head.

52, 53 are complementary flanged disks, provided respectivelywith-projecting trunnions- 54, 55, which are tumably engaged in thesockets 50, 51. Secured to the flanges, and carried by complementary'pairs of disks are foraminated baskets 56, which are each approximatelythree fourths of-a cylinder. The heads 47, 48 are provided with flanges,57, 58 respectively, which are concentric with the baskets. Secured toand extending between complementary pairs of these flanges arearcuateplates 59, loosely embracing the exterior of the baskets 56, andadapted to form closures for the openings of the respective baskets whenthe basket open sides are turned toward the shaft to.

Each basket may be turned to position its open side toward the relatedplate 59 or it may be turned to position the opening outward. To hold insuch positions each disk, as the disk 53 of the basket, is provided withtwo diametrically opposite holes Gib-ill, which are optionally engagedby a pin 62 carried by a spring 63. The spring carried pin is manuallydisengaged to permit the movement and is released to automaticallyre-engaged when the proper position is reached.

One of the rotary heads, as the head 48, is provided with notches 64,corresponding in number to the baskets carried by the heads, any one ofwhich notches may be engaged by a hook-like latch 65 secured to thecasing 10, when the cover 12 has been removed, and thus each basket. inturn, or any desired basket, may be held in proper position to be filledor emptied. Any basket therefore may be turned into register with theopening ll and held there by the latch, the pin 62 manually disengagedfrom the hole 60 and the basket turned until the pin automaticallyengagesthe hole 61, registering the basket open side with the casingopening 11.

it will be particularly noted in this construction that the rotary unitis in every way symmetrical and is perfectly balanced so that it may berotated at high speed. It will be further noted that since each basketis cut away at one side, so as to comprise only a portion of a cylinder,it automatically tends with its heaviest side furthest from the shaftto, to assume a closed position, under rapid rotation oi the unit.

In using the machine, the door 12 is removed,

- and a basket is rotated into position in front of the opening ii andturned until its open side registered with the door opening. At suchtime the latch is engage with the notch 64 in the head as. The pin 62 isdisengaged and the basket turned to open position. Such articles as maybe desired are then placed in the basket, the pin is disengaged and thebasket turned to closed position and locked. The latch is disengaged,and an additional basket moved to place and charged, the operation beingrepeated until all baskets are charged, care being taken to distributethe load equally in the baskets.

The door 12 is then replaced and clamped hermetically in place. Thevalve casing is then filled through the pipe 26 to the desired level,care being taken that the valve 25 and the drain valve are closed, andthe cap 27 seated.

After filling, the pipe valve is closed andthe rotary unit turned atrelatively slow speed as through the belt pulley 45, alternatelychurning the baskets and their content through thesolvent and drainingthem as they pass thereabove.

- issuers When such step has been carried on for the desired time, themachine is shut down, the valve 25 opengd and the solvent drained off.

The r tary unit is next driven, as through the pulley 46, at high speedto throw oil or extract the surplus solvent from the articles in thebaskets. At such speed charges in the baskets,

automatically are thrown outward to symmetrical and balanced positionsmaking such high speed operation possible. The solvent thrown out drainsto the bottom and out through the drain pipes.

On completion of the extracting operation the valve 25 is closed, thedrive is shifted back to the low speed pulley, the cap 2? is removedpermitting air to enter and the air is drawn out through the exhaustpipe while rotation at low speed isv continued. After such exhaustion,or decderization as it is termed, the machine is shut down, the dooropened and the articles removed from the baskets.

It will particularly be noted that the articles to be cleaned areassembled in a plurality of segregated groups thus accelerating actionthereon and improving greatly the cleaning action; that such segregationmakes it possible to place colored and white. articles in separatebaskets obviating staining of white, or delicately colored articles;that the baskets are readily accessible for placing the articles thereinand removing them therefrom; that it is not necessary to handle andtransfor heavily charged articles; and that no odors or fumes. escape orare disseminated in the room during the operation.

It will also be noted that the segregation of the articles into definitegroups and the "concentration of these articles at definite positionsaround the periphery dueto the curvature of the baskets and the locationof the center of these curvatures away from the axis of rotationprevents shifting of the load into an unbalanced group or groups, andenhances balancing of the device for the high speed step or" theoperation.

It will be understood that usual steps of filtering and washing thecleaning fluid and of circulating same from thetank to the casing may beresorted to if and when desired.

' It will further be understood that in a machine iiuid may be usedinstead oi the dry cleaning solvent and the articles may becentrifugally extracted'at the higher speeds, and thereafter dried thusmaking-of the machine a laundry washing and drying machine. V I

Having described my invention what I claim is:

l. In a device ofthe character described, a ca's ing having a chargingopening therein and removable means for closing and sealing saidopening; a shaft rotatably disposed in said casing and projectingtherebeyond, a pair of heads spaced apart, secured on said shaft, aplurality of foraminated baskets equally spaced around said shaft and atequal distances therefrom, said baskets each having an opening thereintoand being turnably supported by said heads, and means carried from andlying adjacent said shaft, co-operating with said baskets when saidopenings are turned of foraminated baskets equally spaced around saidshaft and at equal distances therefrom, said baskets each having anopening thereinto and being turnably supported by said heads, meanscarried from and lying adjacent said shaft, cooperating wi th saidbaskets when said openings are turned toward said shaft to effectclosures therefor, and means for latching said baskets optionally inopen or closed positions.

3. In a device of the character described, a casing for the reception ofa cleaning fluid, having anopening thereinto for the introduction andremoval of articles therefrom, and removable means for closing andsealing said opening; a shaft rotatably disposed in said casing, saidshaft projecting therefrom, a pair of heads spaced apart, secured onsaid shaft, a plurality of cylindrical foraminated baskets equallyspaced around said shaft and at equal distances therefrom, said basketseach having an opening thereinto and being turnably supported by saidheads and means co-operable with one of said heads when said casing isopen, for positioning any one of said baskets in register with saidcasing opening.

4. In a device of the character described, a casing having a chargingopening, a removable door for closing and sealing said opening; meansfor introducing solvent into said casing, means for draining said casingand means for'exhausting ings may optionally be turned toward or-awayfrom said shaft, and means carried by'said shaft,

forming closures one for each basket opening when such opening is turnedtoward said shaft.

5. In a device of the character described, a casing having a chargingopening, a removable door for closing and sealing said opening, meansfor introducing solvent into said casing, means for draining said casingand means for exhausting air therefrom; a rotary unit disposed withinsaid casing, said rotary unit including a shaft suitably journalled'inthe casing, a plurality of elongated baskets, disposed around, parallelwith, at equal distances apart, and at equal distances from said shaft,whereby a balanced unit is accomplished, means carried by said shaft forsupporting said baskets, said baskets being foraminated, having each anelongated opening thereinto, and being turnable about their respectiveaxes, whereby said openings may optionally be turned toward or away fromsaid shaft, means carried by said shaft, forming closures, one for eachbasket opening when. such opening is turned toward said "shaft, andmeans for latching said baskets in either of said positions. 4

6. In a device of the character described, a casing for holding acleaning fluid, having an opening thereinto for introducing, andremoving articles therefrom, and a removable door for closingand-sealing said opening; a balanced rotary unit disposed within saidcasing and means for driving said unit at diiferent speeds, said rota-ryunit including a shaft suitably journalled in the casing, a plurality ofidentical cylindrical baskets, disposed parallel'with said shaft, spacedtherearound at equal distances apart and at equal distances therefrom,whereby a balanced unit is accomplished, means carried by said shaft forsupporting said baskets, said baskets being foraminated, having each anelongated'opening thereinto and being turnable about their respectiveaxes whereby said openings may optionally lie turned toward or, awayfrom said shaft, means carried by said shaft effecting closure of saidbasket openings when such openings are turnecltoward said shaft, andmeans usable when said door is removed for positioning the opening ofany basket in register with said casing opening.

7. In a device of the character described, a

casing for holding a cleaning fluid, having anopening therein permittingplacing and removal of articles, removable means for closing and sealingsaid opening; a shaft rotatably disposed in said casing a pair offoraminated baskets on diametrically opposite sides of said-shaft and atequal distances therefrom, means carried by said shaft for supportingsaid baskets, said baskets each having an opening thereinto and beingturnable about their respective axes, means carried by said shaft,co-operating with said baskets when said openings are turned toward saidshaft to effect closures therefor..

8. In a device of the character described, a casing for holding cleaningfluid, having an opening therein permitting placing and removal ofarticles, and removable means for closing and sealing said opening; ashaft rotatably disposed in said casing, pairs of foraminated baskets,each pair comprising baskets disposed on diametrical- H ly oppositesides of said shaft, at equal distances therefrom, means for supportingsaid baskets from said shaft and rendering them optionally turnable ontheir. respective axes, said baskets each having an opening thereinto,and means carried by said shaft, co-operating with said baskets whensaid openings are turned toward said shaft to effect closures therefor.

9. In a device of the character described, a casing having a chargingopening therein and a closure therefor; a shaft rotatably disposedinsaid casing and projecting therebeyond, a plurality of foraminatedbaskets equally spaced around said shaft, and at equal distancestherefrom, said baskets each having an opening thereinto and beingturnably supported from said shaft, and means carried by said shaft,co-operating with said baskets when said openings are turned toward saidshaft to effect closures there for. i

10. In a device -of the character described, a casing having a chargingopening therein and a closure therefor; a shaft rotatably disposed insaid casing and projecting therebeyond, a plurality of foraminatedbaskets spaced around said shaft, said baskets each having an openingthereinto and being turnable and supported by said shaft, means carriedfrom said shaft, co-operating with said baskets when said openings areturned toward said shaft to effect closures there- I for, and means forlatching said baskets optionally in open or closed positions. 11. In adevice of the character described, a casing having a charging openingtherein, and a closuretherefor; a shaft rotatably disposed in saidcasing, said shaft projecting therefrom, a plurality of foraminatedbaskets spaced around said shaft, said baskets;each having an openingthereinto and being turnable and supported by 1 0 said shaft andmeansico-ope'rabw with said baskets when mid openings are turned towardshaft to effect closures therefor.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination, with acasing having a charging opening and' a closure therefor, of a pluralityof receptacles revoluble about a common axis within said casing, each ofsaid receptacles having a charging opening extending longitudinallythereof, of less width than the diameter of the receptacle, and meansrotatably mounting each receptacle for positioning and retaining thesame, with its charging opening toward said common axis duringrevolution, whereby the 115 ,centrifugal force of the contents of eachreceptacle, resulting from revolution 0! said recep tacles about saidaxiais directed against a permanently closed side thereof.

13. In a device of the character described, the

combination, with a casing having a, charging opening and a closuretherefor, of a plurality of receptacles revoluble about a common axiswithv EARL F. JENKS.

